GOOD NEWS REAL NEWS HOMETOWN NEWS
SINCE 1889 Making Communities Better Through Print.™ VOL. CXXXIII, NO. XLIX
THURSDAY, MAY 18, 2023
INVESTIGATION
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RALLY
Group organizes Vineyard Drive overpass rally Individuals behind ‘Embrace White Pride’ sign remain unidentified By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@pasoroblespress.com
NANCY WOODRUM
Part Two: Retired detective discusses the Nancy Woodrum case five years later Clint Cole recounts the investigation and resolution five years after he caught the case By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@pasoroblespress.com
PASO ROBLES — Last week, we published Part One of the Nancy Woodrum case. The Paso Robles Press/ Atascadero News sat down with recently retired San Luis Obispo County Detective Clint Cole to discuss the case from his point of view. The following is Part Two of the article published on A1 in the Thursday, May 11 issue of Paso Robles Press. “I learned a lesson in an important murder case: Talk to them in person,” said Cole of his previous phone conversation with Flores questioning him about the other contractor. “Knowing what I know now, he may not have been able to not show signs.” Investigators then moved forward with the surveillance of Flores with tracking devices placed under his car. Questioning of people who knew him had nothing bad to say about him, and he revealed no criminal history. Cole even questioned Flores’s brother, who lived in San Miguel and cooperated with investigators by giving a DNA sample and denying his brother would have anything to do with Woodrum’s murder. This DNA sample would match the paternal lineage sample obtained from the bloody handprint at the scene. When Flores left a Coke bottle behind at a restauCONTINUED ON PAGE A6
COMMUNITY
TEMPLETON — In response to a photo that recently circulated depicting two individuals standing on the Vineyard Drive overpass in Templeton, holding a sign that read “Embrace White Pride,” the local group Little Queer Paso organized a rally titled “Rally Against Hate” on Wednesday, May 10, from 2 to 6 p.m., at the same overpass location. An estimated 100 individuals gathered on the overpass throughout the day, holding a diverse array of signs and waving to passing cars, eliciting honks of support. Little Queer Paso group leader Eric Alcosiba-Bergmann helped organize the rally. He learned of the “Embrace White Pride” banner while moving back to Paso Robles from Florida. Alcosiba-Bergmann lived in Paso Robles for “two to three years” before moving to Florida. While living in Paso Robles, he helped begin the Little Queer Paso group in 2021 with about
An estimated 100 people came out to the Vineyard Drive overpass in Templeton carrying banners in the Rally Against Hate. The rally was organized after an “Embrace White Pride” banner was displayed by individuals on the same overpass. Photo by Camille DeVaul/PRP
10 to 15 people as a support and social group. The group, primarily on social media, now has over 700 members. Alcosiba-Bergmann says the group enjoys holding an occasional bar crawl, planning rallies, and participating in the community as much as they can. In response to the controversial banner, Alcosiba-Bergmann said, “We want to not stay silent about it because we didn’t want everyone else
coming through on this busy highway to see that we are a county that has embraced white pride like that. But we speak out against racism, and that was the point of this event to show love, acceptance, support, and show overall to the community that we are all here for each other.” The Vineyard Drive overpass remains under the jurisdiction of the California Highway Patrol (CHP), which
Paso Robles Press reached out to for a response to the banner. A spokesperson for the local CHP told us that while they were aware of the banner by email, a report was not filed. Though controversial to many, CHP stated the banner was free speech whether or not it was affixed to the overpass adding “By holding the banner, it did not violate the law regarding
attaching signs and banners to Caltrans property.” CHP told us that there had been no effort to identify the sign holder. The two individuals photographed holding the banner were wearing masks and were unidentifiable. CHP did, however, question another group that holds signs on the overpass weekly, who told CHP they were not responsible for the banner. CONTINUED ON PAGE A6
RODEO
GOVERNMENT
Council Smart Family Recognized at Sheriff’s Rodeo City approves
Over 6,000 people attended the event, which included bull riding, team roping, and barrel racing
System for water metering
The move aims to address existing challenges, improve efficiency, and enhance customer service
By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@pasoroblespress.com
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY — The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff ’s Department held its Second Annual Sheriff ’s Rodeo on Saturday, May 13. With packed stands, it was clear the community was ready for it. “It was phenomenal. I’m going to say a sell-out crowd,” said Rodeo President Commander Chad Nicholson, who said they sold 6,000 tickets to the rodeo, not including contestants. New this year was adding bull riding to the event lineup and live streaming the rodeo for those who couldn’t make it in person. Other events held at the rodeo were team roping, barrel racing, steer wrestling, breakaway roping, and team
NEWS
By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@pasoroblespress.com A competitor attempts a takedown during the steer wrestling competition during the Sheriff’s Rodeo at the Paso Robles Event Center. Photo by Chuck and Vikki Photography
sorting. All competitors had to compete in a qualifying event leading up to the rodeo, except for the bull riders and steer wrestlers. World champion bullfighter and Paso Robles native Alex McWilliams showcased his skills during the bull riding. The McWilliams family is rooted in the community with its Premier Ag Performance Hay and Feed Store on Paso
Robles Street. The family also served as the bucking bull contractor for the night, bringing in their line of bucking bulls seen in Professional Bull Riders (PBR) events. Held in the Grandstand Arena at the Paso Robles Event Center, the rodeo was followed by a concert performance by Nashville recording artist Filmore. Families and friends gathered on the rodeo
grounds to dance during the concert. “It’s neat to see the event grow to this magnitude,” said Nicholson. “You know, we wanted to deliver a product to the community where it’s a fun community event that celebrates law enforcement, the Western way of life, the sport of rodeo, and community togetherness and that’s exactly
NORTH COUNTY LIFE
SPORTS
WEATHER
CONTINUED ON PAGE A6
PASO ROBLES — The Paso Robles City Council approved a decision regarding the future of water metering in the city. After evaluation, staff members made the recommendation to adopt the Badger Orion AMI system, provided by Badger Meter Company, as the sole source for AMI equipment and associated data management services. This move aims to address existing challenges, improve efficiency, and enhance customer service. CONTINUED ON PAGE A6
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